Grief-stricken friends have paid tribute to an art student killed after her bicycle and a lorry collided in central London.

Former Kingston University art student Eleanor Carey died at the scene of the accident, half a mile from Tower Bridge.

Darren Betts, who changed his Facebook profile to an image of the 22 year old, wrote: “I can't comprehend this friend. I can't sleep. I just don't know what to feel or say...Lost for words here.”

Another friend, Emma Starkey, wrote: “One of the most genuinely lovely people I have ever met - such a tragedy.”

Two ambulance crews were called to Abbey Street, Southwark, near the junction with Tower Bridge Road, at 10.05am on Friday, December 2.

However, Miss Carey had already died by the time they arrived. A post-mortem confirmed she died of severe head injuries.

The student came from the Channel Island of Guernsey, where she spent her university holidays fundraising for the Bridge 2 Sri Lanka charity.

Miss Carey is the second Kingston University cyclist to die on London’s roads in the last two years.

Illustration and animation graduate Jayne Helliwell was crushed by a double-decker 390 bus while riding her bicycle on Oxford Street on April 14, 2010.

She died four hours after being hit, just seven days before her 26th birthday.

Anyone who saw Friday’s incident is asked to call the Road Death Investigation Unit at Catford on 020 8285 1574.

- A 31-year-old lorry driver was arrested in connection with the incident, and was released on bail until January 24.

- Did you know Miss Carey? Leave a tribute below, or email martingeorge@london.newsquest.co.uk or call 020 8744 4288.